Integrating qualitative and quantitative data and findings

Author(s):  
Alicia O'Cathain

Integration is where one method influences in some way the objectives, sampling, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the other methods within a mixed methods study. Studies of qualitative research undertaken with RCTs have identified that publications often have no evidence of integration of findings. That is, the promise of qualitative research helping to explain the RCT results is simply not delivered in practice, or at least not in a way that is visible outside the original research team. The focus of this chapter is on where integration can occur within a study, the techniques that can facilitate integration, and examples of integration in the context of qualitative research and RCTs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia New ◽  
Donna Goodridge ◽  
Joanne Kappel ◽  
Joshua Lawson ◽  
Roy Dobson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) require complex medical management and may be frequently hospitalized. Patient safety incidents during hospitalization can result in serious complications which may negatively affect health outcomes. There has been limited examination of how these patients perceive their own safety. Objectives This study compared the safety perceptions of patients hospitalized with CKD using two approaches: (a) the Patient Measure of Safety (PMOS) questionnaire and (b) qualitative interviews. The study objectives were to: (1) assess concordance between qualitative and quantitative data on safety perceptions and (2) better understand safety as perceived by study participants. Methods A cross-sectional convergent mixed methods design was used. Integration at the reporting level occurred by weaving together patient narratives and survey domains through the use of a joint display. Interview data were merged with results of the PMOS on a case-by-case basis for analysis to assess for concordance or discordance between these approaches to safety data collection. Results Of the 30 inpatients with CKD, almost one quarter (23.3 %) of participants reported low levels of perceived safety in hospitals. Four major themes emerged from the interviews: receiving safe care; expecting to be taken care of; expecting to be cared for; and reporting safety concerns. Suboptimal communication, delays in care and concerns about technical aspects of care were common to both forms of data collection. Concordance was noted between qualitative and quantitative data with respect to communication/teamwork, respect and dignity, staff roles, and ward type/lay-out. While interviews allowed for participants to share specific concerns related to safety about quality of interpersonal interactions, use of the questionnaire alone did not capture this concern. Conclusions Safety issues are a concern for in-patients with CKD. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches provided important and complementary insights into these issues. Narratives were mostly concordant with questionnaire scores. Findings from this mixed methods study suggest that communication, interpersonal interactions, and delays in care were more concerning for participants than technical aspects of care. Eliciting the concerns of people with CKD in a systematic fashion, either through interviews or a survey, ensures that hospital safety improvement efforts focus on issues important to patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692098213
Author(s):  
Ishrat Islam ◽  
Silvia Goss ◽  
Annmarie Nelson ◽  
Anthony Byrne

Introduction: Structured physical activity may improve physical, cognitive, and social functionality, as well as overall quality of life of people with high-grade glioma. Yet, engaging them in such activities remains highly challenging due to their unique disease burden and perceived “loss of control.” A greater understanding of patients’ interests, preferences, behavioral motivations, and perceived barriers around physical activity is needed to design tailored and patient-led physical activity interventions. This protocol describes the method and ethical considerations of a cross-sectional mixed-methods study that has been developed to collect such information from glioma patients and their carers. Methods and analysis: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ 7, short form) and semi-structured interviews will be used for data collection. IPAQ scoring protocol will be followed to examine objective data and Clarke and Braun’s thematic approach will be used to analyze the interview transcripts. Ethics: Ethical approval was obtained from Cardiff University’s Research Ethics Committee and from the regional NHS Research Ethics Committee. The main ethical concerns are to maintain patients’ safety and comfort and ensure that their consent remains informed and valid throughout the recruitment, data collection, management, and dissemination stage. Risks associated with their physical condition, emotional distress, and time commitment should be continuously assessed and necessary actions should be taken accordingly. Conclusion: The protocol will work as a step by step guide for future researchers for developing similar qualitative research and obtaining ethical approval when involving vulnerable individuals like high-grade glioma patients in studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Crosslin ◽  
Justin T. Dellinger ◽  
Srecko Joksimovic ◽  
Vitomir Kovanovic ◽  
Dragan Gasevic

Dual-layer MOOCs are an educational framework designed to create customizable modality pathways through a learning experience. The basic premise is to design two framework choices through a course - one that is instructor guided and the other that is student-determined and open. Learners have the option to create their own customized pathway by choosing or combining both modalities as they see fit at any given time in the course. This mixed-methods study sought to understand the patterns that learners engaged in during a course designed with this pathway framework. The results of the quantitative examination of the course activity are presented, as well as the categories and themes that arose from the qualitative research. The results of the analysis indicates that learners value the ability to choose the pathway that they engage the course in. Additional research is needed to improve the technical and design aspects of the framework.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Collins ◽  
Robert Evans ◽  
Martin Weinel ◽  
Jennifer Lyttleton-Smith ◽  
Andrew Bartlett ◽  
...  

We describe the Imitation Game, a new research method that collects both qualitative and quantitative data, and which can be used as a mixed methods procedure in many disciplines. Drawing on two projects, one investigating gender, the other sexuality, we show that the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the Game combine in four different ways, from more quantitative to more qualitative, involving increasing cultural understanding by the researchers. Crucially, deep cultural input is initially supplied by the players of the Game, who act as “proxy researchers,” enabling data to be gathered quickly and efficiently. The analysis has its roots in sociology of scientific knowledge and studies of expertise and experience, hence the emphasis on the cultural foundations of methods and the nature of expertise.


Author(s):  
Oana Mitrofan ◽  
Rose McCabe

This chapter offers an overview of the nature and purpose of qualitative research, its methods and processes, quality appraisal, synthesis of qualitative research, and the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches in mixed methods research. It includes a brief description of the approaches commonly used in health and healthcare research to collect and analyse qualitative data. The authors make suggestions and provide examples to illustrate the decision-making process in choosing the method(s) of data collection when designing a qualitative project. A number of ways to ensure scientific rigour in the design, conduct, and reporting of qualitative research, with particular regard to validity and reliability, are summarized. The last two sections focus on the key strengths and limitations of qualitative research. A few practical exercises are provided at the end of this chapter to assist the reader in revising the basic steps in the design of a qualitative research project.


Author(s):  
Resdianto Permata Raharjo ◽  
Ahmad Sudali

This journal explains the results of cohesion and coherence analysis in the current new news discourse in Indonesia published by Republika, Thursday 16 May 2019. The research uses descriptive methods by describing and explaining the results of the analysis found in the study. This research is a type of qualitative research because the results tend to be released and descriptive. the technique used in this study is to take data, data collection is done in two ways, namely listening and taking notes. This study found the results of the use of cohesion and and the use of coherence. Cohesion is the integration between the parts that are characterized by the use of language elements. Cohesion is divided into two parts, lexical cohesion and grammatical cohesion. Grammatical cohesion includes conjunction, reference, release, substitution. Lexical cohesion includes antonyms, synonyms, repetitions, metonymy, and hypomini. Whereas, cohorence is the relationship between elements one with the other elements so that it has an integrated meaning.  


Author(s):  
Shilpa Surendran ◽  
Chang Siang Lim ◽  
Gerald Choon Huat Koh ◽  
Tong Wei Yew ◽  
E Shyong Tai ◽  
...  

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, and only a few mobile health (mHealth) applications are specifically designed to manage GDM. In this mixed-methods study, a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) analyzed a largely automated mHealth application-based lifestyle coaching program to (a) measure the application’s usage behavior and (b) explore users’ perceptions of its usefulness in GDM management. Quantitative data were collected from the 170 application users who had participated in the intervention arm of the RCT. Semi-structured interviews (n = 14) captured users’ experiences when using the application. Data were collected from June 2019 to January 2020. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and interviews were analyzed thematically. Only 57/170 users (34%) logged at least one meal, and only 35 meals on average were logged for eight weeks because of the incorrectly worded food items and limited food database. On the contrary, an average of 1.85 (SD = 1.60) weight values were logged per week since the weight tracking component was easy to use. Many users (6/14 (43%)) mentioned that the automatic coach messages created an immediate sense of self-awareness in food choices and motivated behavior. The findings suggest that for GDM management, a largely automated mHealth application has the potential to promote self-awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, reducing the need for intensive human resources. Additionally, several gaps in the application’s design were identified which need to be addressed in future works.


Author(s):  
Bárbara Luque Salas

We present results of our research, which has been aimed at understanding the experience, practice, and sexual life in women over 50 years of age. We studied a sample of 729 women of between 50 and 80 years of age. The research is part of qualitative feminist research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been collected through focus groups and a questionnaire drawn up by our research team. The results show the satisfaction of older women-of all ages-with their sex life and the importance of contextual and relational sexuality issues of women. Autoeroticism is the most established sexual practice in this group of older women and highlights who want to experience some changes in their current sex life around the desire for a more sensual and emotional sexuality, with a claim of more passionate and frequent relations. The data collected reveal a qualitative difference in the reality of sex over the age of 70.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Heather Clements ◽  
Stephanie Valentin ◽  
Nicholas Jenkins ◽  
Jean Rankin ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
...  

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.


Author(s):  
Alice Guilluy

This article outlines the methodology of my PhD thesis, which examined the reception of contemporary Hollywood romantic comedy in Britain, France and Germany. I underline the significant epistemological and methodological shift which took place over the course of four years, as my research went from a positivist mixed-methods study aiming to describe national differences in reception, to a constructivist and qualitative interrogation of the specific pleasures of romantic comedy viewing as manifested by a small group of participants. I conclude that whilst there is no single perfect feminist methodology, doing feminist research must include a degree of self-introspection at all stages of the research, from recruitment to data collection to analysis.


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